DeMarco Expects to Return as Liberty Coach Amidst Player Silence
Despite a playoff exit and lack of player endorsement, head coach Chris DeMarco believes he will return for the 2027 season.
New York Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco expressed confidence in his job security following the team's season-ending loss in the semifinals to the Atlanta Dream. DeMarco stated that based on his communications, he anticipates returning for the 2027 season.
However, the coach's future remains uncertain as key players, including Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart, declined to explicitly endorse his return when asked by reporters. "I don’t know what’s going to happen," Ionescu said. "Regardless, thankful for him coaching us this year and giving us a chance and we just fell short." Stewart added, "Those decisions aren’t ours. I think my focus and what I’m thinking about right now is just: missed opportunity."
DeMarco took over as head coach one year after Sandy Brondello led the franchise to its first WNBA championship. General Manager Jonathan Kolb had stated that he needed to "nail" the hire for Brondello's replacement, indicating the importance of finding the right fit after opting for "evolution and innovation."
DeMarco, a former longtime assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, had limited prior head coaching experience. His previous head coaching role was with the Bahamian men’s national team. During his tenure with the Liberty, his inexperience was noted in late-game situations and in-game adjustments. The team finished the regular season with a 26-18 record, one win shy of the previous year, and secured the eighth seed in the playoffs, a drop from the fifth seed in 2025.